A Celebration of Books,
Writers & LIterary Excellence

Save the Date


Gaithersburg
Book Festival

May 16, 2026

10am – 6pm

Bohrer Park


Humanity Is Like A Candle

By: Kylie Li

Oakton High School

Grade: 9

Fairfax, VA

The flame leaps across the quiet room
Bright and alive, the light dances on the wall
The sparks sounding of laughter
The magnetic orange hue that always glows

But do not forget about the wax
The shape slumping
It surrender to gravity
Pooling as the tiredness grows

A breeze slips through the door
The flame flickers, bending thin and blue
Every corner is waiting
Waiting, holding their breaths

The wick, however, refuses to yield
The flame only grows stronger
Until the breeze stops
You can almost hear the sighs of relief

Too many emotions
That is humanity